ExpressVPN vs NordVPN 2025

James Everard

Senior Writer

When it comes to brand recognition, NordVPN is possibly the only more familiar name than ExpressVPN, particularly if you regularly watch content creators online. But, the real question is, how do these two VPN big shots compare? In short, pretty well — they’re both fast with robust security and privacy practices. However, there are a few key differences.

We subjected both services to a rigorous program of testing to find the better option across a broad range of metrics. We looked at speeds, streaming capabilities, torrenting, and a whole lot more. And, while it doesn’t win every category, we found an overall winner.

Both VPNs are reliable, but if you want the fastest VPN with a user-friendly app, I recommend ExpressVPN. Its proprietary Lightway protocol puts it ahead of all its rivals, including NordVPN. However, that’s not to say that NordVPN is a bad choice. It’s certainly earned its reputation, and some users may prefer its more technical apps.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

*ExpressVPN is known to be reliable, but connections in China can be unstable.

Streaming — ExpressVPN Works With More Regional Platforms

Both VPNs are renowned for their streaming capabilities. They’re both fast, reliable, and work with most major streaming platforms. However, the key difference between them is how well they can access regional platforms in HD from anywhere.

Neither has specialty streaming servers, but that can be an advantage when a service’s entire fleet is streaming-friendly. It means you don’t have to hunt for specific servers or worry about high server load.

ExpressVPN worked with every platform we tried. We could access BBC iPlayer in lag-free HD (the best available quality), and episodes loaded almost instantly. We also had no issues with Netflix US, DAZN, Hulu, and Max.

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is ideal for streaming across any network

NordVPN can similarly access all of the large global platforms in great quality from anywhere. We watched Sam and Cat on Netflix US with no buffering or interruptions. But, while it worked with BBC iPlayer, it couldn't safely access Hotstar and struggled with DAZN US. That may prove decisive if either platform is a favorite.

NordVPN streamed Netflix with all of its UK locations

Both offer stable connections and consistently fast speeds for streaming in HD or UHD. With both VPNs, we were all able to watch our favorite shows without our connections dropping out or slowing down at peak times. They also each have a smart DNS feature that allows you to stream in high quality on devices that don’t normally support VPNs (like game consoles and some smart TVs). While NordVPN’s smart DNS only supports US platforms, ExpressVPN’s, called MediaStreamer, works with popular streaming sites from the US, UK, and Australia.

Winner

Both VPNs are great for streaming, with global server networks that allow safe access to popular platforms from anywhere. But ExpressVPN is more reliable with regional platforms, which earns it the win in this section.

Server Network — ExpressVPN’s Versatility Proves a Virtue

This is another section where it took time to determine a winner. NordVPN’s server fleet is a little larger than that of ExpressVPN, and it offers a range of specialty servers. It offers Double VPN servers for double encryption (something ExpressVPN can’t match), P2P servers, and even Tor Over VPN  connections that let you browse the dark web in your regular browser.

There are also some points worth mentioning in terms of privacy. NordVPN has been actively rolling out colocated (self-owned) servers to ensure their security and cut the middleman. Like most VPNs, ExpressVPN rents its servers from third parties. However, both VPNs offer virtual servers that provide private IPs in locations with strict VPN laws, like India. They also both utilize dynamic IPs, which means that each time you connect, you’ll just about always get a different IP address.

However, ExpressVPN’s versatile servers are worth mentioning. Each one supports streaming, P2P, and even obfuscation, which reduces the complexity of navigating servers and reconnecting for different activities.

This is where the verdict got tricky for me because I can appreciate the benefits of both all-purpose and activity-optimized servers. That said, in the end, the versatility of ExpressVPN’s connections won me over as more convenient.

Winner

With a more diverse coverage of servers that make for easier navigation, ExpressVPN gets the nod.

Speed — ExpressVPN’s Lightway Outshines NordLynx

Our UK-based speed tester had base speeds of 250 Mbps. They used the fastest protocol available for each VPN, which was Lightway for ExpressVPN and NordLynx for NordVPN.

Lightway and NordLynx are both proprietary protocols, and both were developed for speed without sacrificing security.

The former was built from the ground up by ExpressVPN and has a tiny code base compared to most modern VPN protocols, which allows for faster data transmission. The latter was built on top of WireGuard to address the protocol’s underlying security concerns. It’s more robust than its predecessor, but it hasn’t lost any of the speed benefits.

ExpressVPN's upload speeds were remarkably consistent

Both VPNs are renowned for their speeds, but ExpressVPN is a worthy winner, beating NordVPN in almost every test. It was at least a few megabits per second faster in each of our download tests, and while upload speeds were closer, ExpressVPN still won almost every time. If you’ve got a slower baseline connection, you’ll see a greater benefit to picking a VPN with the fastest possible speeds.

NordVPN's US latency (ping) was notably quick

Here’s a brief rundown of some of the speed tests we performed:

Winner

A faster protocol ensures quicker speeds across all distances for ExpressVPN.

Gaming — ExpressVPN Offers Easier Gaming Console Connections

Ping is the crucial stat for gaming since it measures the latency between your commands and the on-screen response. Under 100 ms is ideal for smooth gameplay, and both VPNs manage that comfortably. The difference of a few ms between the services is negligible and makes no discernible impact on your gaming experience.

Our UK-based speed tester also measured the ping of each service, starting with a baseline of 28 ms.

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are fantastic for gaming on nearby servers. I was able to play Risk of Rain 2 on my friend’s dedicated server for hours with no ping spikes, even during peak hours.

Nearby servers offer the fastest speeds and lowest ping for gaming

However, I only recommend using local VPN servers because, like every VPN I’ve tested, the further away you connect, the laggier your game will be. Since both VPNs showed similarly good results, this category is a draw.

Winner - draw

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With excellent speeds and low ping, both services are great for gaming.

Torrenting — Both are Fantastic for P2P

All ExpressVPN’s servers support torrenting, but so do most of NordVPN’s. Once you connect, you can scroll down the server list to see a green light next to "P2P." In fact, only NordVPN’s Albania, Bolivia, North Macedonia, and Moldova locations don’t offer P2P support. Download speeds were too close to differentiate between the two.

ExpressVPN’s obfuscation means that you can torrent on restrictive networks without adjusting your settings. Meanwhile, NordVPN offers a SOCKS5 proxy that provides faster downloads, but it doesn’t encrypt your data. So both services have a major selling point for torrenting, and your preference may depend on your circumstances.

Winner - draw

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If server choice is an issue, go for ExpressVPN. If you just want fast downloads with a SOCKS5 proxy, NordVPN may be the choice.

Security — NordVPN Has More Features

Both services are highly secure, but NordVPN has a few enhanced features. Firstly, its Tor Over VPN servers allow you to access the Tor network and darknet websites on a regular browser, bypassing the notorious slowdowns of the Tor Browser.

NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro can even detect and protect agianst scam websites

Secondly, NordVPN’s content blocker stopped 34% more dangerous annoyances in my tests. It has 2 options — Threat Protection Pro and Lite. The Lite version requires an active VPN connection and focuses on DNS-based blocking, whereas Pro works independently of the VPN connection and uses more advanced filtering. Threat Protection Pro is very effective and highly customizable; you can block any combination of ads, trackers, and malware, and it can scan every file you download for viruses. It can even scan your hard drive for dangerous files already on your device.

ExpressVPN also lets you block adult content, which is great for family PC and children's devices

That’s not to say that ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection was bad; in my experience, 60% is still pretty high for a VPN’s built-in ad blocker. However, the competing Threat Protection Pro knocked it out of the water.

I appreciate that both VPNs give you options for how the kill switch operates. For instance, with ExpressVPN, you can allow devices on your local network to bypass the kill switch and maintain connections (like printers). NordVPN allows you to customize the kill switch function for specific apps. You can also have it cut your internet connection entirely when the VPN is disconnected either manually or unexpectedly. We tested the kill switches of both the VPNs on mobile and PC devices by suddenly switching servers while connected — our true IP was never leaked by either.

NordVPN also has some unusual advanced options. Meshnet lets you remotely connect to your other devices to create your own private network. You can even connect to friends and colleagues, provided they have NordVPN. It can help you bypass network restrictions at work, college, or on public WiFi. It also offers a feature on Windows called Custom DNS that lets you specify your preferred DNS server addresses to further shield your activity from third-party snoops.

Finally, NordVPN boasts double-hop servers for extra encryption and dedicated (private) IP addresses to further evade VPN blocks. True, ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is fully integrated into every server, so it may still be a better choice if you prefer minimal configuration.

Winner

With a choice of security-focused servers and a highly effective malicious content blocker, NordVPN takes a slight lead over ExpressVPN here.

Privacy — ExpressVPN Takes Your Privacy Seriously

Both VPNs claim strict no-logs policies, ensuring your online activities remain private. ExpressVPN, based in the British Virgin Islands, and NordVPN in Panama, operate in jurisdictions outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.

NordVPN is owned by the same umbrella company as Surfshark, whereas ExpressVPN’s parent company also owns CyberGhost. All of these services are developed and managed as separate entities, and so have very different functionality.

ExpressVPN has demonstrated its commitment to transparency by making its Lightway protocol open-source, allowing the tech community to inspect its security. In contrast, NordVPN's applications are not open-source, potentially raising concerns if you value transparency. Both VPNs accept Bitcoin, allowing you to make payments anonymously.

NordVPN has undergone 4 audits of its privacy policy, while ExpressVPN has had 3 specific privacy policy audits. However, NordVPN's policy states it may comply with law enforcement data requests only if aligned with its operating jurisdiction's regulations. That said, it doesn’t log connection timestamps, session duration, IP addresses, or browsing data, so there’s no identifiable data to be shared, anyway.

In total, ExpressVPN has completed 19 audits covering various aspects of its service, including its VPN routers, apps, and browser extensions. It doesn’t log online activity, traffic destinations, data content, DNS queries, connection logs, or even server load information, which is recorded by NordVPN. Plus, all audit reports are publicly available on ExpressVPN's website for transparency.

Regarding data breach history, NordVPN has faced security challenges, notably a server breach in 2018. However, it has taken significant steps to bolster its security since then. While ExpressVPN has not suffered any server breaches, it did discover a bug in how Windows handles DNS requests with split tunneling. To address this, it published a paper detailing the issue, followed by a security audit in 2024.

Winner

ExpressVPN emerges as a stronger choice for privacy due to its proactive transparency measures, clean security record, and favorable jurisdiction.

Works in China — ExpressVPN Works More Consistently

No safe VPN is 100% reliable for China. The Great Firewall (GFW) is constantly updated, which makes it hard for even the best-equipped VPNs to keep up.

Saying that, ExpressVPN generally maintains more consistent performance in China. It offers obfuscation on every server, meaning you can bypass tough network blocks with minimal effort. Plus, it offers a mirror site that changes regularly so you can download it within the country.

It also recommends servers for use in China, including Los Angeles 5, UK—Wembley, Singapore—Marina Bay, and France—Alsace.

Meanwhile, NordVPN makes no guarantee of working in China, and suggests trying many different servers. You can contact its customer support for an updated list.

The good news is that you can test both VPNs without financial risk, as they’re each backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Winner

ExpressVPN is the only one that works more consistently in China. While NordVPN has a series of features that should let it work in the country, it can’t guarantee this.

Installation & Ease of Use — ExpressVPN Wins With Ease

Both services are straightforward to install across a number of devices and OSs. Once you open the apps, you may find that ExpressVPN is more user-friendly, with a stylish, intuitive app. I compared notes with the rest of the testing team and we all agreed that the app works the same across every device.

EspressVPN's settings are spread across 3 intuitive app views

Unfortunately, I find NordVPN’s app quite cluttered. There are a lot of icons next to your main view, and it takes clicking through them to figure out what they do. Interestingly, the App Store and NordVPN’s official site offer 2 different macOS apps. It’s best to get the official site since you get access to more features, like Meshnet and Threat Protection’s full range of capabilities.

NordVPN's layout is less intuitive, but includes some advanced options

ExpressVPN and NordVPN both offer browser extensions, but they differ in some key aspects. While ExpressVPN's extension acts as a controller for the full desktop app and includes WebRTC blocking, NordVPN's is a lightweight proxy. I appreciate that NordVPN’s extension does provide a few additional features, like Threat Protection Lite, to block ads and malware.

In terms of mobile apps, I find ExpressVPN’s easier to use. While NordVPN has tons of advanced security settings, it can be a bit much to navigate. It’s nice that NordVPN offers a dark mode setting, though, which can be easier on the eyes. Both VPNs currently have a rating of 4.7 in the Apple store, while ExpressVPN inches ahead on Google Play, with 3.9 vs NordVPN’s 3.8 ranking.

ExpressVPN also now has a travel-size router called Aircove Go, which is ideal for tech fans on the move. It’s small, lightweight, and ideal for use in hotels, coffee shops, and other public spaces. Alternatively, it has custom router firmware that provides easy installation on a wide range of routers. It also integrates the Lightway protocol and a kill switch for your router connections.

Both VPNs have a feature that lets you preconfigure your settings for various online activities. With ExpressVPN, this is called Shortcuts, while NordVPN’s version is called Presets.

Each VPN offers native apps for Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV, however, we found ExpressVPN’s smart TV apps a bit easier to navigate. I also appreciate that ExpressVPN’s Fire TV app comes with a kill switch to ensure your location data isn’t accidentally exposed in case of a sudden connection drop.

Winner

Advanced users may prefer NordVPN’s quirky features, but there’s no denying that ExpressVPN is easier and more intuitive to use.

Reliability & Support — ExpressVPN Is the Best Around

I’ve never had to reinstall ExpressVPN, and I don’t remember it ever crashing. However, I’ve had the odd technical issue with NordVPN. Should you run into issues, both services offer a reliable 24/7 live chat feature, but I’ve found that ExpressVPN tends to be a little quicker to respond. Plus, its agents are among the most knowledgeable and efficient I’ve dealt with.

Winner

With a bug-free app and the best live chat in the business, you can rely on ExpressVPN.

Pricing

	ExpressVPN	NordVPN
Starting Price	$4.99/month	$2.99/month
Price (On Renewal)	$116.95 per year (subject to change)	$99.48 per year (subject to change)
Money-Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	30 days
Number of devices per license	8	10
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Easy setup with a dedicated app	Manual setup

Both VPNs offer a range of plan durations — ExpressVPN has monthly, 6-month, and 1-year subscriptions, while NordVPN has monthly, 1-year, and 2-year options. It’s also worth noting that NordVPN has Plus and Complete subscriptions that include a few more security features. You can often find special discounts and coupons for each VPN, especially around Black Friday and other holidays.

You get a couple of bonus security tools thrown in when you sign up for either VPN. For instance, ExpressVPN gives you access to Keys, which is a password manager that also scans for data breaches tied to your email. With NordVPN’s Plus and Complete plans, you get a similar tool called Data Breach Scanner. Every NordVPN subscription includes a Dark Web Monitor feature that scans the deep web for data leaks.

Each VPN also offers a plan for US-based users that includes a full suite of security tools in addition to the VPN. ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender offers ID Alerts, ID Theft Insurance, Data Removal, and Credit Scanner. NordProtect provides identity recovery, cyber extortion protection, dark web monitoring, and credit monitoring. Both services include up to $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage.

Both also offer dedicated IPs for an additional monthly charge. However, ExpressVPN emphasizes privacy by using a token-based system for allocation, whereas NordVPN offers a broader selection of locations but links the IP to the user's account.

However, NordVPN is considerably more affordable in the long run. Its renewal price is a bit better, too, though not by much.

In my opinion, ExpressVPN is by far the better service, and with VPNs, you always get what you pay for. However, both of these services are quite evenly matched in a lot of areas. So, if you’re working on a budget, NordVPN is the service to go for.

Both VPNs accept multiple payment methods, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, Sofort (Klarna), and cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more). NordVPN also accepts Amazon Pay and cash if you buy it from a retail store. And while ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial for both Android and iOS, NordVPN only offers this for Android.

Winner

It may not quite match ExpressVPN’s service, but NordVPN’s long-term plans offer undeniable value.

Our Methodology for Testing ExpressVPN and NordVPN

We thoroughly evaluated the two VPNs, concentrating on essential aspects such as streaming capabilities, P2P file sharing, and online gaming performance. Our analysis also includes a detailed review of overall speeds, security features, and privacy protections. We examined these factors alongside each service's pricing structure to identify which one provides the best value.

For more details on our testing process and criteria, feel free to visit our methodology page. That way, you can make an informed decision while shopping for the best VPN for your particular needs.

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN — Reddit Opinions

Both VPNs get praise for their speeds, streaming capabilities, and security credentials. ExpressvPN specifically gets props for its long-term reliability, and both services receive favorable support when compared to other VPNs.

Many Redditers have used either VPN for 5 years or more